A battle for power in the European Parliament is already underway — though quietly for now — with the midterm reshuffle a year away. Behind the scenes, MEPs are counting votes, testing alliances and positioning themselves for the presidency and other top jobs.
On this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, host Zoya Sheftalovich is joined by senior European politics editor Ian Wishart to unpack the maneuvering — and what it means for Roberta Metsola, the far right and the balance of power in Brussels and Strasbourg.
They also examine how debates over trans rights are gaining visibility in Brussels, and why those arguments are increasingly intertwined with broader transatlantic political dynamics.
Plus: Can parts of Brexit be quietly softened for British students and touring musicians?
And with latte prices creeping north of €5 in some places, Zoya and Ian want to know: Where’s the best coffee in Brussels? You can reach us at our WhatsApp number, +32 491 05 06 29 — send us your favorites.
**A message for Amazon: Today’s episode is presented by Amazon. Sixty percent of sales on Amazon come from independent sellers. Across Europe, over two hundred and eighty thousand Small and Medium Enterprises partner with Amazon to grow their business. Learn more at Aboutamazon.eu. **
Sunny skies and above 30C temperatures across the board are bringing Aussies out in droves, and despite rising COVID-19 numbers, partygoers are determined to ring…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/snowstorm-in-montreal-pedestrians-on-mont-royal-avenue.jpg?id=56130408&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you thought <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-coldest-day-weather-2025" target="_blank">January's frigid weather</a> was rough, think again — February isn't looking any easier for Quebec.</p><p>The province is expected to receive intense snowstorms and a chaotic mix of weather in the coming weeks, bringing tricky road conditions and a serious test of patience.</p><p>At the end of last year, meteorologists at <a href="https://www.meteomedia.com/fr/nouvelles/meteo/saisons/apercu-hiver-2025-quebec" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MétéoMédia</a> warned that we were in for "a winter full of storms." Well, it looks like that forecast is about to hit full force.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.meteomedia.com/fr/nouvelles/meteo/previsions/un-changement-de-regime-guette-le-quebec-en-fevrier" target="_blank">meteorologist Réjean Ouimet</a>, an arctic air mass over western Quebec is about to collide with a surge of warmer air —setting the stage for some turbulent weather. "So far, the misalignment of air masses has kept major storms away, but that's about to change," he explains.</p>If this pattern holds, we can expect major snowfall and unpredictable conditions across the province.<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFRCdxERiVm/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFRCdxERiVm/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>"Snowfalls of 15 or even 25 cm or more are likely to become commonplace. Another possibility is that a succession of intense systems will develop, as our winters sometimes do," Ouimet added.</p>Southern Quebec, in particular, is in for a messy mix of snow, rain and freezing rain, making for treacherous commutes.<p>Meanwhile, northern regions like Abitibi could see massive snow accumulations in the coming weeks.</p><p>No matter where you are, one thing is certain: winter storms are coming.</p><p>With that in mind, many folks have circled the first spring day on their calendars. But even when terrasse season arrives, we shouldn't pull out our shorts and sandals just yet.</p><p>Looking ahead, the Farmers' Almanac is predicting a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-weather-spring-forecast-2025" target="_blank">colder-than-usual spring across much of southern Quebec</a>, with frequent rain in April — and even a few late-season snowfalls. But don't worry, those last flurries should quickly turn to rain as temperatures rise. Meanwhile, areas in northern Quebec are set to experience "warmer-than-normal weather" as winter comes to an end.<span></span></p><p>Translation? Winter isn't going anywhere just yet.<br/></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
